Oct 7, 2010
October 8 ,1988
Oct 4, 2010
Fake it til you make it...
That was advice from a dear friend today...but today I couldn't even manage that. Truly a sucky day all around. I don't even want to talk about it. Just going to bed and putting the day behind me.
Talk to you all tomorrow.
Talk to you all tomorrow.
Oct 3, 2010
Sundry Sunday
Not much to say today, had a headache and stiff neck and shoulders most of the day, I must have slept crooked last night - during the little sleep I did get. Last night ended up being quite emotional for me, with lots of thoughts going through my head and they kept me awake and contributed to my low mood today.
I got what I needed to get done, done...then met my friend Shelley for coffee while waiting to meet my son this afternoon. It was a nice time and it did me good to get out of the house for a bit.
Eating was ok, not great - but I did eat two meals today, considering I didn't get out of bed til 11, that's not too bad and I am just ready for bed now and hoping to sleep better.
Exercise, I didn't feel like walking today so I did 20 minutes of crunches, squats and some arm work. It's better than nothing.
I am looking forward to reading Melissa's post but am just too tired to wait up for it, so I will see it tomorrow morning.
Niters all!
I got what I needed to get done, done...then met my friend Shelley for coffee while waiting to meet my son this afternoon. It was a nice time and it did me good to get out of the house for a bit.
Eating was ok, not great - but I did eat two meals today, considering I didn't get out of bed til 11, that's not too bad and I am just ready for bed now and hoping to sleep better.
Exercise, I didn't feel like walking today so I did 20 minutes of crunches, squats and some arm work. It's better than nothing.
I am looking forward to reading Melissa's post but am just too tired to wait up for it, so I will see it tomorrow morning.
Niters all!
Oct 2, 2010
Weekend
Hello everyone!
I didn't blog yesterday, (sorry Mel, no good excuse except I was just so tired and wasn't feeling like booting up the laptop...lame I know!), but I am doing well for Syl's challenge....2/2. Yesterday I went for a 20 min walk and today I walked/ran up and down our stairs for 22 minutes.
Eating wise...I did better today. I ate 3 whole meals, real, home cooked meals complete with vegetables!!! Still need to work on the two snacks but the three meals is a huge improvement over the last few months. Baby steps, right?
I got a lot done today in the apartment as well, organized closets last night and today and unpacked a few more boxes and organized my bedroom a little more. I love my new bedroom. It is so perfect for me :) I have a friend who is a photographer and I love all his photos, I want to get one blown up to 20 x 30 for my living room wall but having such a hard time deciding which one....do I want a nature shot or something more artsy? The apartment is starting to feel like home. It's tiny compared the townhouse but its compact and cozy and easy to keep clean and neat which is a huge stress gone.
No plans for tomorrow, I have to go out to Milton to pick up my oldest from his girlfriend's house and I will go for a walk in the morning.
I didn't blog yesterday, (sorry Mel, no good excuse except I was just so tired and wasn't feeling like booting up the laptop...lame I know!), but I am doing well for Syl's challenge....2/2. Yesterday I went for a 20 min walk and today I walked/ran up and down our stairs for 22 minutes.
Eating wise...I did better today. I ate 3 whole meals, real, home cooked meals complete with vegetables!!! Still need to work on the two snacks but the three meals is a huge improvement over the last few months. Baby steps, right?
I got a lot done today in the apartment as well, organized closets last night and today and unpacked a few more boxes and organized my bedroom a little more. I love my new bedroom. It is so perfect for me :) I have a friend who is a photographer and I love all his photos, I want to get one blown up to 20 x 30 for my living room wall but having such a hard time deciding which one....do I want a nature shot or something more artsy? The apartment is starting to feel like home. It's tiny compared the townhouse but its compact and cozy and easy to keep clean and neat which is a huge stress gone.
No plans for tomorrow, I have to go out to Milton to pick up my oldest from his girlfriend's house and I will go for a walk in the morning.
Sep 30, 2010
100
Hey 100 followers!!! That's pretty cool, don't ya think?
What can I say about today? It was a new day. Was I productive? In some ways.
I am going to be off work til November 1 due to some health issues so Iwould like will use this time to refocus on me, my health, my weight loss efforts, my mindset and my determination.
Tomorrow is not Day 1. To say tomorrow is Day 1 discounts all the last year and half that I have worked so hard and I refuse to do that. Sure....I am nowhere near as far along as I wanted to be at this point - but I am still over 30lbs down from my starting point. Never have I lost weight and kept it off this long before. Sure, it's not enough weight, but it is a huge change from the losing/gaining cycle I was trapped in before.
Melissa - you keep me going every day girl...hang in there.
What can I say about today? It was a new day. Was I productive? In some ways.
I am going to be off work til November 1 due to some health issues so I
Tomorrow is not Day 1. To say tomorrow is Day 1 discounts all the last year and half that I have worked so hard and I refuse to do that. Sure....I am nowhere near as far along as I wanted to be at this point - but I am still over 30lbs down from my starting point. Never have I lost weight and kept it off this long before. Sure, it's not enough weight, but it is a huge change from the losing/gaining cycle I was trapped in before.
Melissa - you keep me going every day girl...hang in there.
Sep 29, 2010
No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap. ~Carrie Snow
I slept most of today, it did help my mood and my patience.
I know how to take care of myself, I know what I need to do to feel better - I just can't seem to actually do it. You know, I'm a pretty smart and independent woman but I just can't seem to get my sh*t together the last few months and it seems to be taking all my energy to just get through the basic stuff.
Tomorrow is another day and God willing another chance to get it right.
Melissa - keep going strong :)
I know how to take care of myself, I know what I need to do to feel better - I just can't seem to actually do it. You know, I'm a pretty smart and independent woman but I just can't seem to get my sh*t together the last few months and it seems to be taking all my energy to just get through the basic stuff.
Tomorrow is another day and God willing another chance to get it right.
Melissa - keep going strong :)
Winner and Wireless Issues
The winner of the The Decaf Diet book is Marisa !! Please send me your info and I'll get it in the mail to you.
Last night, our wireless router died - we've had it about 10 years so I guess I can't complain - but we had no network cable so that meant no internet so I couldn't blog. I did have a post saved to upload today but somehow Live Writer ate it or hid it or something. And this morning I am not feeling particularly clever or entertaining....so this is it folks.
I am not feeling well today, emotionally, mentally or physically and really - am not caring about much today. I will get over it - tomorrow is a new day, right?
Hope you are all having an awesome day and doing something good for you. Hugs.
Last night, our wireless router died - we've had it about 10 years so I guess I can't complain - but we had no network cable so that meant no internet so I couldn't blog. I did have a post saved to upload today but somehow Live Writer ate it or hid it or something. And this morning I am not feeling particularly clever or entertaining....so this is it folks.
I am not feeling well today, emotionally, mentally or physically and really - am not caring about much today. I will get over it - tomorrow is a new day, right?
Hope you are all having an awesome day and doing something good for you. Hugs.
Sep 27, 2010
Not Taking The Easy Road
This blog post is about my friend Melissa. I've known Melissa about 10 years or so and in that time she has become one of my closest and dearest friends. We met at work when we were assigned to a project together. We are about as different as can be in terms of temperament and personalities, but she is an amazingly strong woman who has taught me so much about myself and my health.
She is the one who gave me information about PCOS and insulin resistance and started my search for a doctor who would actually help me with, rather than blame me for, my weight loss issues.
Melissa has had her own struggles with weight loss and has now decided to take a huge step towards changing her lifestyle and becoming healthy. She is spending 8 weeks away from her family at the Fitness Ridge Resort in Utah, also known as the Biggest Loser Resort.
While she's away, she's going to be blogging about her experience and I know she would appreciate all the support and encouragement she can get...so go check out her blog, say hi and follow her on this part of her journey.
We've made a pact that we will both blog every day to support each other and for all the help and friendship and love Mel has given me, blogging each day and reading her blog each day is a small token of my appreciation, plus....I know it will help me to find my way again.
Her blog is at: Not Taking The Easy Road
She is the one who gave me information about PCOS and insulin resistance and started my search for a doctor who would actually help me with, rather than blame me for, my weight loss issues.
Melissa has had her own struggles with weight loss and has now decided to take a huge step towards changing her lifestyle and becoming healthy. She is spending 8 weeks away from her family at the Fitness Ridge Resort in Utah, also known as the Biggest Loser Resort.
While she's away, she's going to be blogging about her experience and I know she would appreciate all the support and encouragement she can get...so go check out her blog, say hi and follow her on this part of her journey.
We've made a pact that we will both blog every day to support each other and for all the help and friendship and love Mel has given me, blogging each day and reading her blog each day is a small token of my appreciation, plus....I know it will help me to find my way again.
Her blog is at: Not Taking The Easy Road
Sep 24, 2010
The Decaf Diet: Is Caffeine Making You Fat?
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A basic overview, the author describes and discusses the effects of caffeine on hormones, insulin levels and weight gain. I was already aware of this information from my endocrinologist and some other blogs that I read, but I have to say that Mr. Wells does an excellent job of explaining this in layman's terms and has a huge amount of references to back up his research. I also like his writing style, it's chatty and comfortable, and although a little technical in places, it's certainly not confusing medical jargon.
Mr. Wells explains two approaches, either cut out caffeine or find a way to fit it into your lifestyle by making other changes to offset caffeine's damaging effects.
I have Type II diabetes so I found the section on insulin control to be the most interesting and useful to me.
Many times in the past, I've gone cold turkey and cut out caffeine completely, suffered the headaches, the irritableness and the discomfort, once for up to a year, then like any other addiction, one Diet Pepsi and I was a goner again. For me, coffee and tea don't seem to have the same lure or temptation as a Diet Pepsi or chocolate and it doesn't take too long to become full blown addicted again.
Definitely, this book has started me thinking about the moderation and control approach to caffeine addiction and I think I'm going to give it a try. I'll let you know how it goes.
Funnily enough, there was an episode of Dr. Oz yesterday about a 28 day plan to cut out "soda" because of the double whammy of caffeine and sugar.
Thanks to Mr. Wells for sharing his book with me and as a way to pay it forward - I'll send it to someone else out there in blog land who is caffeine-addicted and thinks it may help them. Just leave a comment on this post and I'll do a random draw thingy on Tuesday September 28th.
Jul 16, 2010
Waiting for limbo to end.
Hi everyone!!!
Thank you so much for all your supportive comments and emails the last few weeks.
The "perfect" apartment didn't work out so well, long story - but I had to start looking elsewhere. I ended up in Hamilton and found an apartment on the Mountain. It's clean, good size and definitely a good price and a gorgeous view down the mountain side. I fell in love with it immediately, we were approved practically instantly and are all set to move in September 1. What a relief! I cannot tell you how stressed I've been worrying about where we were going to live.
I've already started purging, sorting and packing but am nowhere near done! So much more to do but I feel like I want to do it now that I know my next step.
Why Hamilton? To be truthful, this was a hard decision to come to and I've had two major panic attacks yesterday while trying to decide and I must have changed my mind a dozen times over the 6 hours. Firstly, the rent and living expenses are about 75% less than in Mississauga and significantly less than in Toronto. I have some good friends in Hamilton that are an amazing support network for me as well as in west Oakville and since my sister moved out to Oshawa, I have been feeling a bit adrift on my own. There is an amazing alternative school program in Hamilton for my eldest son, Iain, better than the one that Peel has and I think this will have a positive effect on his future. Hamilton is also a much smaller city and has a different feel than the urban craziness of Toronto and the suburban sprawl of Mississauga.
My commute is not going to be pretty, I work up by Toronto airport. My long term goal is find a position in Oakville/Burlington/Hamilton to be closer to home and then to buy a house in Hamilton. Housing prices are much more affordable for me there than they would be here, especially on one income.
The rest of my life? Work is going well.
Weight loss really has not been my focus and really, it has to be constantly in the forefront of my mind for me to be successful. Somehow, I am maintaining and not regaining - but I am really not putting any effort into it and am just skating by. I am so hoping that when I am out of this limbo I feel I am in, i.e. settled in our new home and new life and new routines that I can refocus on my weight loss goals and keep this going. I wish I could juggle everything but you know what...it just ain't working for me.
Thank you so much for all your supportive comments and emails the last few weeks.
The "perfect" apartment didn't work out so well, long story - but I had to start looking elsewhere. I ended up in Hamilton and found an apartment on the Mountain. It's clean, good size and definitely a good price and a gorgeous view down the mountain side. I fell in love with it immediately, we were approved practically instantly and are all set to move in September 1. What a relief! I cannot tell you how stressed I've been worrying about where we were going to live.
I've already started purging, sorting and packing but am nowhere near done! So much more to do but I feel like I want to do it now that I know my next step.
Why Hamilton? To be truthful, this was a hard decision to come to and I've had two major panic attacks yesterday while trying to decide and I must have changed my mind a dozen times over the 6 hours. Firstly, the rent and living expenses are about 75% less than in Mississauga and significantly less than in Toronto. I have some good friends in Hamilton that are an amazing support network for me as well as in west Oakville and since my sister moved out to Oshawa, I have been feeling a bit adrift on my own. There is an amazing alternative school program in Hamilton for my eldest son, Iain, better than the one that Peel has and I think this will have a positive effect on his future. Hamilton is also a much smaller city and has a different feel than the urban craziness of Toronto and the suburban sprawl of Mississauga.
My commute is not going to be pretty, I work up by Toronto airport. My long term goal is find a position in Oakville/Burlington/Hamilton to be closer to home and then to buy a house in Hamilton. Housing prices are much more affordable for me there than they would be here, especially on one income.
The rest of my life? Work is going well.
Weight loss really has not been my focus and really, it has to be constantly in the forefront of my mind for me to be successful. Somehow, I am maintaining and not regaining - but I am really not putting any effort into it and am just skating by. I am so hoping that when I am out of this limbo I feel I am in, i.e. settled in our new home and new life and new routines that I can refocus on my weight loss goals and keep this going. I wish I could juggle everything but you know what...it just ain't working for me.
Jul 7, 2010
Where am I?
Hanging in, still.
Taking one day at a time. Life is full of challenges right now and I'm trying to deal with them head on and it's not always pretty! Some days are not so good, some are amazing...and most are just dealing with the every day stuff, you know?
I did join the gym at my workplace today and will start tomorrow. I'm hoping that just having it here and having people to go with will jump start my motivation. Of course I get to do the lovely Fitness Assessment where they get to tell me how much weight I need to lose and how to do it...I'll keep you posted on that one.
In terms of eating, I'm not doing so great. I am not overeating in terms of volume of food, but I am not eating healthy, or I am - but very rarely. I think I may have wandered towards the produce aisle about a week ago but then got scared and ran away. I think the carrots were going to chase me but they tripped over the bags of potatoes piled on the skids.
In other areas of my life, I'm just trying to be organized and sort stuff out. I found an amazing apartment but I am waiting to hear if we got it - hopefully by Friday, that would be a great way to start the weekend. There is alot to do in terms of packing and sorting and purging that should keep me distracted for the next few weeks.
It's been way, way hot in the GTA this week and we don't have A/C so sleeping has been even more problematic than usual and I am feeling my nerves on edge and my stress level escalate every night that I don't sleep enough.
My new job is great - I'm really happy in it.
Mostly I feel like my life is in limbo and won't really "start" until we're in our own place in September.
Taking one day at a time. Life is full of challenges right now and I'm trying to deal with them head on and it's not always pretty! Some days are not so good, some are amazing...and most are just dealing with the every day stuff, you know?
I did join the gym at my workplace today and will start tomorrow. I'm hoping that just having it here and having people to go with will jump start my motivation. Of course I get to do the lovely Fitness Assessment where they get to tell me how much weight I need to lose and how to do it...I'll keep you posted on that one.
In terms of eating, I'm not doing so great. I am not overeating in terms of volume of food, but I am not eating healthy, or I am - but very rarely. I think I may have wandered towards the produce aisle about a week ago but then got scared and ran away. I think the carrots were going to chase me but they tripped over the bags of potatoes piled on the skids.
In other areas of my life, I'm just trying to be organized and sort stuff out. I found an amazing apartment but I am waiting to hear if we got it - hopefully by Friday, that would be a great way to start the weekend. There is alot to do in terms of packing and sorting and purging that should keep me distracted for the next few weeks.
It's been way, way hot in the GTA this week and we don't have A/C so sleeping has been even more problematic than usual and I am feeling my nerves on edge and my stress level escalate every night that I don't sleep enough.
My new job is great - I'm really happy in it.
Mostly I feel like my life is in limbo and won't really "start" until we're in our own place in September.
Jun 30, 2010
Spiralenz-ing downward...
And not weight wise. Well to be truthful, I have no idea how much I weigh, I haven't weighed myself in 3 weeks. My clothes fit the same, a few seem a bit looser, I don't "feel" like I've gained weight...but I didn't feel myself gaining weight most of the way up to 250 lbs...sometimes it seemed like I just woke up one day with an extra 10-15 lbs ....and then repeated it.
I am in a spiral of not eating/not sleeping. When I don't sleep I have no appetite, but then my blood sugar drops and I need to eat, so I eat whatever is available and in any quantity I want until I feel better, which makes my blood sugar spike, then I feel tired and stuffed and don't eat again...repeat, repeat, repeat until I get where I am today. Feeling like crap, exhausted and no motivation or will power to do anything but sleep - which, oh did I mention I am not sleeping?
I can't seem to turn my mind off when I try to sleep. Physically and emotionally I am drained, but my mind keeps racing with a million thoughts of moving, living alone, new job, new apartment (that I have yet to find), all the packing I have to do....and on and on. I know some things I can't control so wasting precious brain power worrying about them isn't helping me - but there is no off switch for my brain and when the house is quiet and I've stopped moving for the day, it seems to go into overdrive.
I am liking my new job. One of my managers took me out for lunch to Canyon Creek today which was a nice surprise (I had forgotten the perqs of the Corporate world) and we talked alot about my role and some projects I can work on to make the job more interesting and I hope, eventually translate into a different position that is more in line with my background and training of the last 10 years. Since tomorrow is Canada Day, I also booked Friday off so I have an extra long weekend ahead.
Tomorrow is my baby's 16th birthday. Happy Birthday Iain :)
I am in a spiral of not eating/not sleeping. When I don't sleep I have no appetite, but then my blood sugar drops and I need to eat, so I eat whatever is available and in any quantity I want until I feel better, which makes my blood sugar spike, then I feel tired and stuffed and don't eat again...repeat, repeat, repeat until I get where I am today. Feeling like crap, exhausted and no motivation or will power to do anything but sleep - which, oh did I mention I am not sleeping?
I can't seem to turn my mind off when I try to sleep. Physically and emotionally I am drained, but my mind keeps racing with a million thoughts of moving, living alone, new job, new apartment (that I have yet to find), all the packing I have to do....and on and on. I know some things I can't control so wasting precious brain power worrying about them isn't helping me - but there is no off switch for my brain and when the house is quiet and I've stopped moving for the day, it seems to go into overdrive.
I am liking my new job. One of my managers took me out for lunch to Canyon Creek today which was a nice surprise (I had forgotten the perqs of the Corporate world) and we talked alot about my role and some projects I can work on to make the job more interesting and I hope, eventually translate into a different position that is more in line with my background and training of the last 10 years. Since tomorrow is Canada Day, I also booked Friday off so I have an extra long weekend ahead.
Tomorrow is my baby's 16th birthday. Happy Birthday Iain :)
Jun 28, 2010
Ch...ch...anges
Where to start?
A lot has happened in my life in the last two months and I am not really ready to share all of it yet, but would like to update you all on some of it as it does affect my weight loss/healthy lifestyle efforts.
I almost want to type out a list...but that seems trivial for the magnitude of the changes.
Ok, here goes. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea and hang on :)
Firstly, back in April my husband and I decided to seperate. This was a mutual, completely amicable and civil decision on both our parts and made in the best interests of each other and our sons. We worked out a plan and told our family and friends throughout May. Right now we are working on setting up our new lives and trying to plan new futures for all of us. Our primary concern is always our sons and their happiness and welfare and to minimize the stress for them during this time.
The plan, as it stands now, is that I will get an apartment and the boys will come to live with me as of September 1. Dennis will spend some time living at his parents house, to save money and then will get another apartment nearby so the boys can go back and forth as they like. They are both teenagers and we are not going to get into a custody battle at this point. We want them to know they are welcome in either of our homes and can choose where they want to live. Obviously, this is the biggest change in my life and has been an emotional roller coaster. Dennis and I still care for each other very much and as much as I am concerned for myself and Iain and Liam - I am also concerned for him and want to help him as much as possible.
This is a huge change in our lives. Dennis and I have been together almost 25 years and married for 22 of them. I was very young when I met him and he is my only adult relationship, thinking of a life without him is terrifying and exciting at the same time.
I started a new job today in the Corporate Division of the company I currently work for. It's closer to home and a little more money and more in line with the environment I am used to, so I am hoping this is another positive change in my life. The other great thing about this location is that there is a gym on site, not a great gym...but one right in the building that has Aquafit classes 3x a week and my corporate health and wellness benefit pays for 75% of the fees so I would be silly not to take advantage of this....even if all I ever do is the Aquafit classes, it would be worth it.
Last week I bought a car :) This is exciting because I've never bought a car by myself or owned one in my own name only. It's a 1997 Honda Civic and I have named him Rocco. I know cars are traditionally given girls' names...but I like to buck tradition now and again ;)
In terms of my weight loss efforts I joined WW again two weeks ago with some other bloggers. More so for the accountability and structure than anything else. My weight has been yo-yoing again over the last month since I hit my low of the 209.6 and I know it is mostly from lack of structure and discipline in my eating and exercise rather than from overeating, so I need to get a handle on that so I can do the best job I can taking care of me so I can be the best mom I can to my boys.
I am not sure how much I will be blogging - I seem completely consumed right now by so many other aspects of my life. I so much appreciate that you are all out there caring about me :) and I am stilll reading blogs when I can so you'll see comments from me now and again.
My email is in my profile, if any of you would like to keep in touch that way, you are more than welcome to do so.
A lot has happened in my life in the last two months and I am not really ready to share all of it yet, but would like to update you all on some of it as it does affect my weight loss/healthy lifestyle efforts.
I almost want to type out a list...but that seems trivial for the magnitude of the changes.
Ok, here goes. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea and hang on :)
Firstly, back in April my husband and I decided to seperate. This was a mutual, completely amicable and civil decision on both our parts and made in the best interests of each other and our sons. We worked out a plan and told our family and friends throughout May. Right now we are working on setting up our new lives and trying to plan new futures for all of us. Our primary concern is always our sons and their happiness and welfare and to minimize the stress for them during this time.
The plan, as it stands now, is that I will get an apartment and the boys will come to live with me as of September 1. Dennis will spend some time living at his parents house, to save money and then will get another apartment nearby so the boys can go back and forth as they like. They are both teenagers and we are not going to get into a custody battle at this point. We want them to know they are welcome in either of our homes and can choose where they want to live. Obviously, this is the biggest change in my life and has been an emotional roller coaster. Dennis and I still care for each other very much and as much as I am concerned for myself and Iain and Liam - I am also concerned for him and want to help him as much as possible.
This is a huge change in our lives. Dennis and I have been together almost 25 years and married for 22 of them. I was very young when I met him and he is my only adult relationship, thinking of a life without him is terrifying and exciting at the same time.
I started a new job today in the Corporate Division of the company I currently work for. It's closer to home and a little more money and more in line with the environment I am used to, so I am hoping this is another positive change in my life. The other great thing about this location is that there is a gym on site, not a great gym...but one right in the building that has Aquafit classes 3x a week and my corporate health and wellness benefit pays for 75% of the fees so I would be silly not to take advantage of this....even if all I ever do is the Aquafit classes, it would be worth it.
Last week I bought a car :) This is exciting because I've never bought a car by myself or owned one in my own name only. It's a 1997 Honda Civic and I have named him Rocco. I know cars are traditionally given girls' names...but I like to buck tradition now and again ;)
In terms of my weight loss efforts I joined WW again two weeks ago with some other bloggers. More so for the accountability and structure than anything else. My weight has been yo-yoing again over the last month since I hit my low of the 209.6 and I know it is mostly from lack of structure and discipline in my eating and exercise rather than from overeating, so I need to get a handle on that so I can do the best job I can taking care of me so I can be the best mom I can to my boys.
I am not sure how much I will be blogging - I seem completely consumed right now by so many other aspects of my life. I so much appreciate that you are all out there caring about me :) and I am stilll reading blogs when I can so you'll see comments from me now and again.
My email is in my profile, if any of you would like to keep in touch that way, you are more than welcome to do so.
Jun 18, 2010
Hello..hello..hello???
Anyone still out there?
I have a lot to write about...but tonight is not the night. I am just breaking the "blog" ice again and wanted to let you all know I"m alive :) I appreciate your comments and emails asking where I was, I'm sorry I didn't respond personally.
For those of you who have me on Facebook, I haven't de-friended you, I"ve just deactivated my account for a bit.
For those of you who have me on Facebook, I haven't de-friended you, I"ve just deactivated my account for a bit.
Take care,
May 21, 2010
Weekend Plans?
It's Victoria Day here in Ontario and I know Memorial Day Weekend in the US, right? Plans?
Sadly, I have none. I did have high hopes for plans, but they fell apart. One part of my plan was a nice quiet weekend to myself as all the guys were going to be away for the weekend.....that didn't work out so well.
Life's like that sometimes. My husband is going away to a family get together out of town so it is me, the boys and Iain's girlfriend. I am trying to coax (bribe, threaten, encourage) them to help me start sorting and packing for our move at the end of July. Not sure how successful I will be, but we gotta make a start somewhere.
So that's my exciting plan, cleaning, packing and laundry and maybe fit in a Pay Per View movie in their somewhere on Saturday or Sunday night with a big bowl of popcorn :)
And I will fit in a walk somewhere....not sure when or where I will walk...but I'll come up with something I'm sure. And cooking, I feel like cooking. I haven't cooked a complete meal in a few weeks, I've been eating soup, salads, sandwiches...thrown together hodgepodges....you know? Sometimes the unplanned, unstructured weekends are best.
Sadly, I have none. I did have high hopes for plans, but they fell apart. One part of my plan was a nice quiet weekend to myself as all the guys were going to be away for the weekend.....that didn't work out so well.
Life's like that sometimes. My husband is going away to a family get together out of town so it is me, the boys and Iain's girlfriend. I am trying to coax (bribe, threaten, encourage) them to help me start sorting and packing for our move at the end of July. Not sure how successful I will be, but we gotta make a start somewhere.
So that's my exciting plan, cleaning, packing and laundry and maybe fit in a Pay Per View movie in their somewhere on Saturday or Sunday night with a big bowl of popcorn :)
And I will fit in a walk somewhere....not sure when or where I will walk...but I'll come up with something I'm sure. And cooking, I feel like cooking. I haven't cooked a complete meal in a few weeks, I've been eating soup, salads, sandwiches...thrown together hodgepodges....you know? Sometimes the unplanned, unstructured weekends are best.
May 19, 2010
Rambling along....
Still going along day by day...still not consuming sugar or artificial sweeteners the way I used to. I use Splenda in coffee because I can't drink coffee without sweetening it...I guess the next step would be to cut out coffee but I do really like the taste and I only have 1-2 cups a day so that's not high on my priority list right now.
I've been walking every day but not as hard core as I was and I not always wearing my shoes with the sensor so it's not updating my mini, but I am exercising - don't worry.
I've got a lot going on in my life right now, on all fronts, so I'm trying to not lose my focus on the eating well aspect. I'm actually no longer tracking/counting anything or even writing it down. I wake up, have breakfast, eat lunch when I'm hungry, stop before I'm full and same with dinner. If I find I'm having a long day or need a snack I have one. It's wierd - there's no obsession, no feeling that I think about food 100% of the time the way I used to. I like this feeling and I hope it lasts. I know I have other pressing issues in my head and something had to give so it looks like the food/weight loss obsession is what my mind decided it would stop focusing on....I'm not sure. Our bodies are wierd things aren't they?
I see my endocrinologist at the end of June so I will be getting my blood work done soon and it will be interesting to see the results of the this six month period.
This whole post is nothing but a ramble about nothing at all - sigh....told you some days I just don't know what to say!!!
I've been walking every day but not as hard core as I was and I not always wearing my shoes with the sensor so it's not updating my mini, but I am exercising - don't worry.
I've got a lot going on in my life right now, on all fronts, so I'm trying to not lose my focus on the eating well aspect. I'm actually no longer tracking/counting anything or even writing it down. I wake up, have breakfast, eat lunch when I'm hungry, stop before I'm full and same with dinner. If I find I'm having a long day or need a snack I have one. It's wierd - there's no obsession, no feeling that I think about food 100% of the time the way I used to. I like this feeling and I hope it lasts. I know I have other pressing issues in my head and something had to give so it looks like the food/weight loss obsession is what my mind decided it would stop focusing on....I'm not sure. Our bodies are wierd things aren't they?
I see my endocrinologist at the end of June so I will be getting my blood work done soon and it will be interesting to see the results of the this six month period.
This whole post is nothing but a ramble about nothing at all - sigh....told you some days I just don't know what to say!!!
May 17, 2010
Booyah!!!!
...as my sons would say.
If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you would have heard me say (ad nauseum) that 210-215 is my "sticking point". It's where, in the past, I have given up and regained any and all, plus some more, weight lost. This time around, I was determined there was no going back. If I stuck at 215 forever, it would be better than going back up. I have been all over the place from 212-220 since October!!!! I don't know why it's such a mental block. I don't know why I couldn't get past it.
Well now I have!!!
If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you would have heard me say (ad nauseum) that 210-215 is my "sticking point". It's where, in the past, I have given up and regained any and all, plus some more, weight lost. This time around, I was determined there was no going back. If I stuck at 215 forever, it would be better than going back up. I have been all over the place from 212-220 since October!!!! I don't know why it's such a mental block. I don't know why I couldn't get past it.
Well now I have!!!
May 16, 2010
GTA Blogger GTG - Done :)
It was yesterday. So much fun. These ladies are truly inspirational and so much fun to be around. We talk about alot of different things, weight loss and blogging being only a small part of it. I know there were lots of photos taken...so I will just link to their blogs as I don't have much more to say about it. Food was great, company was great - what more could I ask for?
Kat's Blog
My meal was the black bean tostada which was actually an appetizer!!
Kat's Blog
My meal was the black bean tostada which was actually an appetizer!!
May 14, 2010
No sugar = No cravings
Simple formula huh?
TOM started this morning and I didn't even notice the date, you know why? The week before was not filled with sugar / carb cravings that reminded me the monthly event was due.
The last two weeks I have drastically reduced not only my sugar intake but also my aspartame/sucralose intake. I seriously think I was addicted to Diet Pepsi and Coke Zero, I thought it was the caffeine, but I don't drink coffee/tea in the same way. I think it was the artificial sweeteners. Now this isn't meant to be an opening to discuss the merits and dangers of various sweeteners. My endocrinologist says they are safe in moderation and I trust her so I go with that. I can't say I ever believed they triggered cravings, but now that I have drastically reduced both sugar and the sweeteners I can honestly say I feel and see a difference in my body. I don't wake up in the morning "wanting" a diet coke. I don't "want" one mid afternoon. I sometimes have a coffee or tea and that doesn't make me "need" a diet coke.
In terms of sugar, I didn't eat alot of sugar to begin with because I'm diabetic, but there are lots of ways to get sugar without eating candy and sweets - bread, rice, pasta, too many fruits, lots of vegetables are high in sugar, almost anything packaged/processed, even honey and agave syrup are sugar even if they are natural forms.
I've never gone this long before, I've done a week before then fell off the wagon - I'm now into my third week and it's not an effort now to walk past the cookies and donuts set out by the coffee maker each day. Last week I picked one up, took a bite and waited a few minutes. Nope..didn't NEED or WANT the rest and tossed it. I don't hear them calling to me - maybe they have forgotten my name.
I'd like to say I'll never go back to eating sugar the way I used to. But I know how life works...so I'm going to say that TODAY, I'm not going to have sugar or artificial sweetener. That's my promise to myself.
May 10, 2010
GTA Blogger GTG
Sat May 15, 2010
11:00 a.m.
Fresh on Bloor
Hope to see some new GTA bloggers out there!
Please be prompt as we cannot make reservations and will be given a table based on our numbers when we are seated.
If you need more info, you can email me at downwardtrenzATgmailDOTcom
11:00 a.m.
Fresh on Bloor
Hope to see some new GTA bloggers out there!
Please be prompt as we cannot make reservations and will be given a table based on our numbers when we are seated.
If you need more info, you can email me at downwardtrenzATgmailDOTcom
May 9, 2010
Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Mother's Day to all the women who love a child, either small or grown.
My own relationship with my mother was tumultuous at best - I left her home at 15 - but as I have matured and raised my own boys, I learned this: She did the best she could with what she knew and never for a moment, do I doubt she loves me with all her heart.
I have two wonderful sons, such different children from the moment they were born. Iain is full of angst and passion about everything, he wants to fix the world and make it right for everyone. I ain is my "wayward" son, he sometimes loses himself on his quest for righteousness, but he always finds his way back. Liam is gentler, he wants peace in the world and everyone to get along, he is the sweetest child.
For Iain:
For Liam:
May 8, 2010
Saturday night and it's all right
I had a good day.
I didn't get any exercise in, unless you count shopping as exercise :)
I have some big changes coming up in my life in the next few months and today I took a mental break from all of that and just played at being a girl :) I tried on tons of new clothes - and bought a few - a beautiful, sexy, body skimming red summer dress that I cannot wait to wear, a new suit for interviews (the one I bought a few months ago is now too big, although I have not actually lost any weight), a tank type blouse to go under it, a black and a white shrug as last summers are falling off my shoulders.
What I really, really need are new bras, but I seem to be in between sizes...I tried on 3-4 different brands and styles and it was the same each time. 38C is too big in the cup and 38B has me overflowing. Hopefully a few more pounds and I will be able to fix that situation. I love buying new underwear - are you with me ladies - doesn't it feel so pretty and feminine to have pretty underthings that match? No matter where I go or what I am doing 2 things are true about me....my toenails are always manicured and painted and my underwear always matches. Even those that are basic, they match. Imagine if I was hit by a car and had to go to the hospital and my bra and panties didn't match??? The horror of it.
Speaking of pretty underwear, we were having a discussion at work the other day with two guys who work in our trailer, one is 21 the other is 45. There consensus is they don't care what the underwear looks like, why do we even bother with it? Seriously, I know I have a few guy readers...do y'all not appreciate pretty underthings on your women?
Shopping today was actually alot of fun as the suit and two blouses and the dress I bought were from the regular side of the store - albeit the largest sizes XL and XXL but no plus sizes and the suit is a regular 18 not 18W. This is the first time I've shopped from the "normal" side. I have to admit I did feel a bit of a fraud picking up stuff to try on at first and kept expecting my favourite saleslady (I go to the same places alot) to remind me I was on the wrong side of the store.
Lunch was at Red Robin - a gourmet burger place and I had my usual blackened chicken, I could only eat half and was full and I had two fries. 2 years ago, I would eat the whole sandwich and the whole basket of fries and half of another basket and still have "room" for dessert. I have definitely learned to listen to my body's fullness cues.
I bought new makeup and nail polish and tomorrow will get the colour on my toes changed.
All in all, today was about celebrating where I am at this moment in my life and just revelling in it instead of wanting to be somewhere else.
I didn't get any exercise in, unless you count shopping as exercise :)
I have some big changes coming up in my life in the next few months and today I took a mental break from all of that and just played at being a girl :) I tried on tons of new clothes - and bought a few - a beautiful, sexy, body skimming red summer dress that I cannot wait to wear, a new suit for interviews (the one I bought a few months ago is now too big, although I have not actually lost any weight), a tank type blouse to go under it, a black and a white shrug as last summers are falling off my shoulders.
What I really, really need are new bras, but I seem to be in between sizes...I tried on 3-4 different brands and styles and it was the same each time. 38C is too big in the cup and 38B has me overflowing. Hopefully a few more pounds and I will be able to fix that situation. I love buying new underwear - are you with me ladies - doesn't it feel so pretty and feminine to have pretty underthings that match? No matter where I go or what I am doing 2 things are true about me....my toenails are always manicured and painted and my underwear always matches. Even those that are basic, they match. Imagine if I was hit by a car and had to go to the hospital and my bra and panties didn't match??? The horror of it.
Speaking of pretty underwear, we were having a discussion at work the other day with two guys who work in our trailer, one is 21 the other is 45. There consensus is they don't care what the underwear looks like, why do we even bother with it? Seriously, I know I have a few guy readers...do y'all not appreciate pretty underthings on your women?
Shopping today was actually alot of fun as the suit and two blouses and the dress I bought were from the regular side of the store - albeit the largest sizes XL and XXL but no plus sizes and the suit is a regular 18 not 18W. This is the first time I've shopped from the "normal" side. I have to admit I did feel a bit of a fraud picking up stuff to try on at first and kept expecting my favourite saleslady (I go to the same places alot) to remind me I was on the wrong side of the store.
Lunch was at Red Robin - a gourmet burger place and I had my usual blackened chicken, I could only eat half and was full and I had two fries. 2 years ago, I would eat the whole sandwich and the whole basket of fries and half of another basket and still have "room" for dessert. I have definitely learned to listen to my body's fullness cues.
I bought new makeup and nail polish and tomorrow will get the colour on my toes changed.
All in all, today was about celebrating where I am at this moment in my life and just revelling in it instead of wanting to be somewhere else.
May 7, 2010
Thunderbolts and lightning - very very frightening
Not really, I love storms.
There is nothing more comforting to me than being inside watching the lightening tear across the sky, hearing the thunder boom and watching the rain pelt the windows.
There is nothing more comforting to me than being inside watching the lightening tear across the sky, hearing the thunder boom and watching the rain pelt the windows.
May 5, 2010
Blogging for a Season
I am really feeling like my blogging season has passed. All things are cyclical so I am sure I will come back to it full force one day, but all through April and this first part of May, I just haven't felt like I had anything to share, insightful, interesting, funny or otherwise.
I am continuing my weight loss journey and it takes a huge amount of energy to focus on that every day - to make good choices, to plan, to find time to exercise and then to actually carry out those plans. Its repetitive to write about the same things every day and I don't find it really helping me. By the end of the day of DOING all that, the spirit doesn't seem to move me to now rehash it by writing about it...does that make sense?
I do absolutely love reading all your blogs and do so everyday, even though I don't comment as much as I used to, once again - I don't feel there's anything new to say.
I'm actually feeling pretty good, I went through a bit of a low week in April and definitely this weight loss thing has been a struggle for a very long time - but in general, I'm in a good place.
I'm sure I'll be blogging now and again, maybe 1-2 x a week.
I am continuing my weight loss journey and it takes a huge amount of energy to focus on that every day - to make good choices, to plan, to find time to exercise and then to actually carry out those plans. Its repetitive to write about the same things every day and I don't find it really helping me. By the end of the day of DOING all that, the spirit doesn't seem to move me to now rehash it by writing about it...does that make sense?
I do absolutely love reading all your blogs and do so everyday, even though I don't comment as much as I used to, once again - I don't feel there's anything new to say.
I'm actually feeling pretty good, I went through a bit of a low week in April and definitely this weight loss thing has been a struggle for a very long time - but in general, I'm in a good place.
I'm sure I'll be blogging now and again, maybe 1-2 x a week.
May 3, 2010
Nothing To Worry About
Thank you for all your kind and supportive comments on my last two posts.
I met my high school friend, Greg, for coffee yesterday and had a really nice time. He is *very* good looking, one of those men that get better looking with age, but the teenage shyness and geekiness has turned into confidence and charm. He was funny and engaging and we talked for 2 hours about just about everything under the sun. We also talked about my friend Graham that passed away, Greg knew him as well and it helped to talk to someone else who knew and loved him.
He said I still have the bluest eyes he'd ever seen :) which just about made my day and I did beat him at Star Trek trivia (I guess we are still both geeks at heart!). I ended the day feeling pretty good about myself.
Also, huge NSV - I wore a summer dress and there was no thigh chafing! My thighs do touch, but they were not rubbing in that painful, annoying way like they have in previous summers. It felt great to wear a pretty dress and not have to wear bike shorts or long briefs underneath.
Second NSV, I had only coffee in a bakery full of nothing healthy!
Third victory, but is an SV, I seem to have dropped the temporary weight of my week long carb binge and I am feeling clear headed and alert and content.
Only one downside to today, I've developed a minor medical condition (might be TMI - a blocked lymph node in the groin area) that is going to make exercise impossible for the next 2-3 days but I am going to be extra diligent with eating and hop right on the bandwagon as soon as I can.
So today is a good place to be.
How's your Monday shaping up?
I met my high school friend, Greg, for coffee yesterday and had a really nice time. He is *very* good looking, one of those men that get better looking with age, but the teenage shyness and geekiness has turned into confidence and charm. He was funny and engaging and we talked for 2 hours about just about everything under the sun. We also talked about my friend Graham that passed away, Greg knew him as well and it helped to talk to someone else who knew and loved him.
He said I still have the bluest eyes he'd ever seen :) which just about made my day and I did beat him at Star Trek trivia (I guess we are still both geeks at heart!). I ended the day feeling pretty good about myself.
Also, huge NSV - I wore a summer dress and there was no thigh chafing! My thighs do touch, but they were not rubbing in that painful, annoying way like they have in previous summers. It felt great to wear a pretty dress and not have to wear bike shorts or long briefs underneath.
Second NSV, I had only coffee in a bakery full of nothing healthy!
Third victory, but is an SV, I seem to have dropped the temporary weight of my week long carb binge and I am feeling clear headed and alert and content.
Only one downside to today, I've developed a minor medical condition (might be TMI - a blocked lymph node in the groin area) that is going to make exercise impossible for the next 2-3 days but I am going to be extra diligent with eating and hop right on the bandwagon as soon as I can.
So today is a good place to be.
How's your Monday shaping up?
May 1, 2010
More from the past
Tomorrow I am meeting an old friend from high school for coffee.
I am 100lbs heavier now than I was at 18.
He (ok, if it wasn't a he maybe I wouldn't be angsting quite so much!) looks better now than he did in high school. He was a tall, lanky, geeky kid - now he's a tall, handsome, rugged man.
I'm just sayin' - that if I had my choice I'd be 120 lbs of cuteness instead of 220 lbs of cuteness.
And yes, I know looks aren't important - I'm still smarter than him and my eyes are still bluer :P~
And I'm sure once I see him and we start talking, I will forget about that as I try to out Star Trek triviatize him.
Hope your Saturday is going well.
I am 100lbs heavier now than I was at 18.
He (ok, if it wasn't a he maybe I wouldn't be angsting quite so much!) looks better now than he did in high school. He was a tall, lanky, geeky kid - now he's a tall, handsome, rugged man.
I'm just sayin' - that if I had my choice I'd be 120 lbs of cuteness instead of 220 lbs of cuteness.
And yes, I know looks aren't important - I'm still smarter than him and my eyes are still bluer :P~
And I'm sure once I see him and we start talking, I will forget about that as I try to out Star Trek triviatize him.
Hope your Saturday is going well.
Apr 29, 2010
In my mind
Life is hard right now. I seem to be living more in my mind than in my life. A lot of issues have come to the surface this week...things I had forgotten, or have been trying to forget and some people from my past have intruded into my now.
None of this is bad. Most of it is good, it's just very emotional and very draining and very tiring and I am finding myself second guessing alot of my life's decisions. Not regrets. Just wondering about the roads not taken and the people I've left behind, or who have left me behind.
At 15 I was in love with a wonderful boy. He was funny, smart, cute and the best kisser :) Somewhere between 15 and 16 he started to take drugs. By 16, he was lost to all of us. The last time I saw him he didn't even know I was leaving and saying goodbye, he was so out of it. Life went on and I not only left him behind, but his entire family. A few years ago, his family looked me up (the magic of Facebook) for me to learn that he was dying. He was 35 and he never recovered from being 16 and his addictions. I had planned to go see him, but he died before I could. The last time I saw him was at his funeral.
Talking to another old friend from that same time in my life, brought back all these memories and hopes and wishes and for some reason, I can't seem to turn my mind off. You think the past is safe tucked away but it's not, and I think just this week, I am finally grieving him, but not just him, the loss of my innocence.
I will be fine. I just need to get through this. I learned last year, when my husband was ill, that taking care of me when I feel sad and overwhelmed is the most important thing I can do. Sleep right, eat right and get some exercise and the world always seems a better place tomorrow.
None of this is bad. Most of it is good, it's just very emotional and very draining and very tiring and I am finding myself second guessing alot of my life's decisions. Not regrets. Just wondering about the roads not taken and the people I've left behind, or who have left me behind.
At 15 I was in love with a wonderful boy. He was funny, smart, cute and the best kisser :) Somewhere between 15 and 16 he started to take drugs. By 16, he was lost to all of us. The last time I saw him he didn't even know I was leaving and saying goodbye, he was so out of it. Life went on and I not only left him behind, but his entire family. A few years ago, his family looked me up (the magic of Facebook) for me to learn that he was dying. He was 35 and he never recovered from being 16 and his addictions. I had planned to go see him, but he died before I could. The last time I saw him was at his funeral.
Talking to another old friend from that same time in my life, brought back all these memories and hopes and wishes and for some reason, I can't seem to turn my mind off. You think the past is safe tucked away but it's not, and I think just this week, I am finally grieving him, but not just him, the loss of my innocence.
I will be fine. I just need to get through this. I learned last year, when my husband was ill, that taking care of me when I feel sad and overwhelmed is the most important thing I can do. Sleep right, eat right and get some exercise and the world always seems a better place tomorrow.
Apr 26, 2010
Working Through the Crisis
Thanks for all your wonderful comments on yesterday's post. You guys never cease to amaze me with your support, understanding and suggestions.
Tonight I went to my friend's condo again to use their gym and pool. I did 2.57 km (30 minutes) on the treadmill at a faster pace than Saturday and also 15 minutes of swimming laps and 15 minutes of water jogging and 5 minutes on the ellipitical. This is the longest I have ever spent on the elliptical because I don't feel safe on it for some reason. I wanted to use the stairmaster but it was out of order. So I'm going to try and build up my time on the elliptical.
Foodwise I'm actually ok, I may have 1-2 days a months where I go a little nuts (Hello TOM!) but even then I am within my points for the week overall, so I'm going to try and put more focus on exercise and balance in my life.
I have truly become obsessed with weight loss and food and that can't be good.
Tonight I went to my friend's condo again to use their gym and pool. I did 2.57 km (30 minutes) on the treadmill at a faster pace than Saturday and also 15 minutes of swimming laps and 15 minutes of water jogging and 5 minutes on the ellipitical. This is the longest I have ever spent on the elliptical because I don't feel safe on it for some reason. I wanted to use the stairmaster but it was out of order. So I'm going to try and build up my time on the elliptical.
Foodwise I'm actually ok, I may have 1-2 days a months where I go a little nuts (Hello TOM!) but even then I am within my points for the week overall, so I'm going to try and put more focus on exercise and balance in my life.
I have truly become obsessed with weight loss and food and that can't be good.
Apr 25, 2010
Crisis of Faith
....in myself.
I've had a pretty good week but nothing really exciting to blog about. I missed a few days walking last week but managed to get out there most days. Yesterday I spent some time at the gym and pool at a friend's condo and did 30 min on the treadmill, 20 min on the bike and then 30 minutes water jogging in the pool. Then we did a spur of the moment trip to Buffalo. It was a long day, and I was glad when we finally got home.
Today the weather was cold and rainy and it just affected my mood negatively. I had zero motivation to do anything and spent most of the day reading or listening to music.
On a good note, I heard from an old friend via Facebook last week and it was wonderful to reconnect with him and catch up the last ten years.
I am still not sure what is going on with me and this weight loss effort. I am exercising more than I ever have, not overeating or bingeing and just not succeeding. It takes alot of planning and effort to eat right and find time to exercise and that doesn't seem to be paying off right now.
Still, as I keep reminding myself - EVERY DAY - there's no going back - only forward.
I've had a pretty good week but nothing really exciting to blog about. I missed a few days walking last week but managed to get out there most days. Yesterday I spent some time at the gym and pool at a friend's condo and did 30 min on the treadmill, 20 min on the bike and then 30 minutes water jogging in the pool. Then we did a spur of the moment trip to Buffalo. It was a long day, and I was glad when we finally got home.
Today the weather was cold and rainy and it just affected my mood negatively. I had zero motivation to do anything and spent most of the day reading or listening to music.
On a good note, I heard from an old friend via Facebook last week and it was wonderful to reconnect with him and catch up the last ten years.
I am still not sure what is going on with me and this weight loss effort. I am exercising more than I ever have, not overeating or bingeing and just not succeeding. It takes alot of planning and effort to eat right and find time to exercise and that doesn't seem to be paying off right now.
Still, as I keep reminding myself - EVERY DAY - there's no going back - only forward.
Apr 18, 2010
Give me sleep or give me....
not sure what.
I am fighting sleep today.
I didn't get up until almost 10:30 and I really, really, really had to pull myself out my warm, comfy bed. I pulled on workout clothes and did Level 1 of The 30 Day Shred and then 1 hour of yoga. Afterbeing tortured by Jillian the workout, the yoga felt really good and the stretching helped to wake me up. It wasn't easy though, I was sweating through the yoga poses and some of them I can't quite do yet. Quick breakfast of cereal with Almond Breenze, then a hot and sweaty me hit the bath. I am sure I fell asleep for a moment as I soaked in the hot water scented with Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom.
Then...out of the bath, dried off and started to read for a bit, I caught myself several times nodding off so I finally gave up and pulled the comforter over me and closed my eyes.
3 hours later I woke up feeling refreshed and alert...but so hungry!!
Quick lunch of Thomas' bagel thin, tomato and cheese and a cup of coffee and I feel like I can take on the day...um..yeah...at 4 o'clock! The only thing on today's agenda at this point is to drive my son's girlfriend back to Milton, do a load of laundry and get in a walk. I may try to stay up a bit later to make sure I sleep through the night.
Dinner is going to be easy and quick as well, some grilled haddock and oven roasted vegetables.
Hope you are all having a great weekend.
Oh, just to clarify regarding a comment Matt left on yesterday's post about The End of Overeating, the author doesn't say to NEVER eat out - that was my generalized take on his message. I don't subscribe to the deprive yourself of everything school of weight loss and I don't think I could make it through my entire life never eating out again. I think the problem, for me personally, is that I don't use eating out as a substitute for a meal I would eat at home - I use it as an "event" and eat foods and quantities of foods that I would not eat at home. Events are ok, once in a while, but when it's once a week, that one meal can undo all the calories I've saved all week and leave me feeling bloated, heavy and mad at myself - so it's just not worth it to me anymore. I still go out, of course I do, it's a social thing too, right? But I now try to think of it as a meal and not an event - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I am fighting sleep today.
I didn't get up until almost 10:30 and I really, really, really had to pull myself out my warm, comfy bed. I pulled on workout clothes and did Level 1 of The 30 Day Shred and then 1 hour of yoga. After
Then...out of the bath, dried off and started to read for a bit, I caught myself several times nodding off so I finally gave up and pulled the comforter over me and closed my eyes.
3 hours later I woke up feeling refreshed and alert...but so hungry!!
Quick lunch of Thomas' bagel thin, tomato and cheese and a cup of coffee and I feel like I can take on the day...um..yeah...at 4 o'clock! The only thing on today's agenda at this point is to drive my son's girlfriend back to Milton, do a load of laundry and get in a walk. I may try to stay up a bit later to make sure I sleep through the night.
Dinner is going to be easy and quick as well, some grilled haddock and oven roasted vegetables.
Hope you are all having a great weekend.
Oh, just to clarify regarding a comment Matt left on yesterday's post about The End of Overeating, the author doesn't say to NEVER eat out - that was my generalized take on his message. I don't subscribe to the deprive yourself of everything school of weight loss and I don't think I could make it through my entire life never eating out again. I think the problem, for me personally, is that I don't use eating out as a substitute for a meal I would eat at home - I use it as an "event" and eat foods and quantities of foods that I would not eat at home. Events are ok, once in a while, but when it's once a week, that one meal can undo all the calories I've saved all week and leave me feeling bloated, heavy and mad at myself - so it's just not worth it to me anymore. I still go out, of course I do, it's a social thing too, right? But I now try to think of it as a meal and not an event - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Apr 17, 2010
Back to Life
Hello everyone,
I feel like I've been on a long trip and just got back and all my friends are doing great things and I'm sitting here scratching my head wondering how I'm going to catch up!
Trust me, it was no Caribbean cruise. The last two weeks have been fraught with allergic reactions, long work hours, family drama and processed carb overload.
I spent yesterday planning and today I am back in the game. I got up before everyone else this morning and headed out for a walk in the cold wind and drizzle that April 17 has decided to give us in the Toronto area. It was very, very cold - this pushed me to walk faster. I was out 32 minutes and did 2.57 km. I'm happy with that considering I haven't walked more than ten minutes at a time in the last two weeks.
I've meal planned for the week and will be heading out to get groceries shortly - I have some new recipes to try so I will try and post those at some point.
I read The End of Overeating by David Kessler. It was very interesting and enjoyable to read as well. The book is basically divided into two sections, the first section deals with the food manufacturers in North America and how they engineer food to make it "craveable" and how this affects our brain chemicals and may lead to bingeing and overeating. The second half talks about strategies to cope with this and to break the cycle. The strategies were very similar to Beck's strategies but Kessler is much less preachy and more entertaining. Parts of the first section were a bit repetitive, but it certainly drove his message home: DO NOT EAT OUT!!! if you want to eat healthy and lose weight.
I have to give a big shout out to Tiffany and Ann this week. Tiffany always keeps me sane and motivates me and gives me encouragement even when I'm being a whiny baby or a whinging idiot - thanks Tiffany! Ann is a huge inspiration to me, she's had a rough time of it but is a huge success and whenever I start to think my life sucks, I think how much worse she has had it and thank my lucky stars. She has also given me some great advice this week, based on her own experiences, and a heck of alot encouragement. These two great ladies have given me renewed motivation and hope today. Thank you both!
I also want to give a huge shout out to my bloggy friend, Erin, who did Day 1, Week 1 of the Couch To 5K program this week. I know how daunting it seems to start something like that and to do it alone and I am so thrilled for her that she's taken this step. Way to go Erin!!!
Have a great Saturday everyone, catch you later!
I feel like I've been on a long trip and just got back and all my friends are doing great things and I'm sitting here scratching my head wondering how I'm going to catch up!
Trust me, it was no Caribbean cruise. The last two weeks have been fraught with allergic reactions, long work hours, family drama and processed carb overload.
I spent yesterday planning and today I am back in the game. I got up before everyone else this morning and headed out for a walk in the cold wind and drizzle that April 17 has decided to give us in the Toronto area. It was very, very cold - this pushed me to walk faster. I was out 32 minutes and did 2.57 km. I'm happy with that considering I haven't walked more than ten minutes at a time in the last two weeks.
I've meal planned for the week and will be heading out to get groceries shortly - I have some new recipes to try so I will try and post those at some point.
I read The End of Overeating by David Kessler. It was very interesting and enjoyable to read as well. The book is basically divided into two sections, the first section deals with the food manufacturers in North America and how they engineer food to make it "craveable" and how this affects our brain chemicals and may lead to bingeing and overeating. The second half talks about strategies to cope with this and to break the cycle. The strategies were very similar to Beck's strategies but Kessler is much less preachy and more entertaining. Parts of the first section were a bit repetitive, but it certainly drove his message home: DO NOT EAT OUT!!! if you want to eat healthy and lose weight.
I have to give a big shout out to Tiffany and Ann this week. Tiffany always keeps me sane and motivates me and gives me encouragement even when I'm being a whiny baby or a whinging idiot - thanks Tiffany! Ann is a huge inspiration to me, she's had a rough time of it but is a huge success and whenever I start to think my life sucks, I think how much worse she has had it and thank my lucky stars. She has also given me some great advice this week, based on her own experiences, and a heck of alot encouragement. These two great ladies have given me renewed motivation and hope today. Thank you both!
I also want to give a huge shout out to my bloggy friend, Erin, who did Day 1, Week 1 of the Couch To 5K program this week. I know how daunting it seems to start something like that and to do it alone and I am so thrilled for her that she's taken this step. Way to go Erin!!!
Have a great Saturday everyone, catch you later!
Apr 13, 2010
Wierd and Wired
I've just spent half an hour trying to access my blog...and blogger wouldn't let me, I finally got in, in a round about way. Very wierd.
The last two weeks have been a bit odd. I haven't been walking as regularly, for various reasons (some of them not very good excuses and some legitimate reasons) but am confident I will get my walking groove back because I'm going to take it back.
In terms of eating, I've been doing not so bad overall but have had a few days where I didn't eat enough and a few where I overate - mostly restaurant food and the overeating was because of the way the food was cooked not the portion size...which is just as bad, really.
I think my head is on straight again now.
So who's coming the blogger meetup?
Here are the details as I can't seem to get the &*&^% link to work, no matter what I try.
Host: Toronto GTG Bloggers
Location: Fresh
326 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 1W5 Canada
View Map
When: Saturday, May 15, 11:00AM
Talk to you all later, have a nice evening!
The last two weeks have been a bit odd. I haven't been walking as regularly, for various reasons (some of them not very good excuses and some legitimate reasons) but am confident I will get my walking groove back because I'm going to take it back.
In terms of eating, I've been doing not so bad overall but have had a few days where I didn't eat enough and a few where I overate - mostly restaurant food and the overeating was because of the way the food was cooked not the portion size...which is just as bad, really.
I think my head is on straight again now.
So who's coming the blogger meetup?
Here are the details as I can't seem to get the &*&^% link to work, no matter what I try.
Host: Toronto GTG Bloggers
Location: Fresh
326 Bloor Street West
Toronto, ON M5S 1W5 Canada
View Map
When: Saturday, May 15, 11:00AM
Talk to you all later, have a nice evening!
Apr 7, 2010
Come One, Come All
Dawne, Kimberley, Leanne, Katie, Crystal....and anyone else within driving distance of Toronto.
It's blogger meet up time!!!
Here's the evite, if you'd like to come, even if you want to be tentative (you can confirm later) - feel free to sign up using the evite or send me an email at downwardtrenz AT gmail DOT com and I will send you an evite to respond to. This way our organizer, Kat, can make sufficient reservations.
Evite Link
Come on......don't ya wanna meet me???? (And the other GTG blogging lovelies - Tiffany, Kerry, Erin, Kat, Kate, Andrea and Allie).
Of course you do - I'm cute as a button in person :)
For those coming from the West, I can fit three people in my car and would love to pick you up from a GO Station and chauffeur you to the event :)
Have you signed up yet? What are you waiting for????
Apr 1, 2010
Let The Weekend Begin!
I have lots of plans for the weekend so I may not post again until my weekly update on Sunday night...so I wish you all a wonderful Easter or a wonderful Spring weekend (or Fall weekend for my Aussie friends!). OK how about this - have a great couple of days!!!
Friday is a statutory holiday in Ontario and I may just take Monday as a vacation day. The boys have it off from school and although they would rather spend the day with friends than with Mom and Dad, it may be nice to have the extra day as a family.
Tomorrow I am meeting my friend Shelley, and hoping to convince her for a short walk around her neighbourhood - it's about 1 km around her block taking a short path at the lakefront and we may or may not stop into pass by Coldstone Creamery. I'm also picking up The End of Overeating from her. I'm looking forward to reading it based on all the blogger recommendations I've heard about it.
Saturday I'm meeting Tiffany for a walk at the Oakville waterfront and then Sunday I'm meeting Tina and Sadie for a walk somewhere and then if I take Monday off I'm planning a walk somewhere different - either the Toronto Zoo or the island trails. The weather is going to be gorgeous and I want to soak up all the Vitamin D I can.
The last few weeks have been really good for me in all areas of my life - emotional, family, work - and it is really making this weight loss effort seem effortless right now. I'm making the most of it while it lasts.
Look at this from my Nike+ for March. I am so thrilled to see my progress like this. It really motivates me and reminds me that every day is an opportunity to do something towards my healthy and fit goal and nothing is too small. I actually had two more walks that weren't recorded here because the Nike sensor crapped out on me.
Over 55 km and 5500 calories!
I'm setting weekly goals but I'm also going to set a monthly goal for April. 66 km and 6600 calories, just because it appeals to my love of symmetry :) Also my longest streak was 5 days in a row, so I'm going to go for 7 days in a row in April. In case you hadn't guessed, I am a complete data geek and crunching data makes me happy :) When I'm happy, I stay motivated and positive - and then good things happen!
Look at this from my Nike+ for March. I am so thrilled to see my progress like this. It really motivates me and reminds me that every day is an opportunity to do something towards my healthy and fit goal and nothing is too small. I actually had two more walks that weren't recorded here because the Nike sensor crapped out on me.
Over 55 km and 5500 calories!
I'm setting weekly goals but I'm also going to set a monthly goal for April. 66 km and 6600 calories, just because it appeals to my love of symmetry :) Also my longest streak was 5 days in a row, so I'm going to go for 7 days in a row in April. In case you hadn't guessed, I am a complete data geek and crunching data makes me happy :) When I'm happy, I stay motivated and positive - and then good things happen!
Thursday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 + 20 FP (lets call this the "cookie incident" |
| Activity Points Earned | 3 |
Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 41 164 (256 to goal) |
Mar 31, 2010
Marching On...er Out
March is over. Time seems to be flying. I always find January to June goes by so quickly and then the rest of the year goes slower.
Another beautiful day by the lake of my favourite city (Toronto) and I saw lots of swans on the lake today. The boardwalk was much more crowded and as the weather gets nicer it will become more and more crowded - it may be time to start looking for another route next week.
One more day until the long weekend and I have gone from having no plans to suddenly fully booked - but in a good way. Family and friends and nice weather - what more could I ask for?
Wednesday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 + 10 FP |
| Activity Points Earned | 3 |
Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 42 123 (297 to goal) |
Mar 30, 2010
With A Little Help from Bob Marley
Half way through a short week - gotta love that!! I am looking forward to the long weekend and hoping to get in some walking and some good cooking - I feel like I've not been doing any inspired cooking the last week or so - just same old same old. So, time to step it up! I'd like to fit in a visit to Whole Foods on Saturday as well.
I have a bunch of playlists on my iPod for when I walk and one of my favourite ones starts with Redemption Song by Bob Marley - I like it because its a slower song to warm up to while I find my pace. There's a line that always jumps out at me and inspires me.
Isn't that what this is all about? The restraints we put on ourselves are all in our head. We put limitations on our strength, on our ambition, on our willpower and on everything we do. When we start to free ourselves from that mental slavery - great things happen. And when one great thing happens, it has a snowball effect - more great things happen, we feel stronger, more motivated and more successful and that leads to more great things happening. Truly, it does.
The other line that has profound meaning for me is:
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
It is both comforting and empowering for me to know that I am not alone and that I have all the strength I need - I need to use it.
Tuesday
I have a bunch of playlists on my iPod for when I walk and one of my favourite ones starts with Redemption Song by Bob Marley - I like it because its a slower song to warm up to while I find my pace. There's a line that always jumps out at me and inspires me.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Isn't that what this is all about? The restraints we put on ourselves are all in our head. We put limitations on our strength, on our ambition, on our willpower and on everything we do. When we start to free ourselves from that mental slavery - great things happen. And when one great thing happens, it has a snowball effect - more great things happen, we feel stronger, more motivated and more successful and that leads to more great things happening. Truly, it does.
The other line that has profound meaning for me is:
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
It is both comforting and empowering for me to know that I am not alone and that I have all the strength I need - I need to use it.
Tuesday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 +8 FP |
| Activity Points Earned | 3 |
Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 45 81 (339 to goal) |
Marvellous Monday
Monday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 |
| Activity Points Earned | 2.5 |
Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 36 36 (384 to goal) |
Mar 29, 2010
Chapter 11 - The Beck Diet Solution
When to Stop Losing and Start Maintaining
She starts by saying she asks her patients two questions:
1. What would you like to weigh?
2. What weight could make you at least minimally satisfied? (what is your satisfaction goal?)
She suggests that the answer to number one is our "ideal" and that the answer to number 2 is our realistic goal and that knowing the difference between these two numbers is a secret to success in maintaining (the next chapter).
She goes on to talk about the lowest achievable weight and the lowest maintainable weight - again usually two different numbers.
She says that at some point, we will stop losing and our bodies will settle at the right weight, at this point, it will not be feasible or realistic to lower calories or exercise more - our bodies will be "done". She says our maintainable weight may not be our lowest possible, but it is where we will be able to stay comfortably without having to do anything extreme or struggle.
If you reach a weight that you feel is not your goal weight but you can't go any lower and it's not feasible, realistic or healthy to exercise more or lower your calories, then you may have to readjust your goals. She suggests taking the focus off weight loss at this point and enriching your life in other ways. All those things you were going to do when you got to goal - do them now.
Although I understand the point of this chapter, I don't think she does a very good job of explaining how to know when you are at your goal weight (ideal or realistic) and although I think she is trying to discourage eating disorders and image dysmorphia - she doesn't really delve into that and once again, I found that she took a very serious issue and made it too simplistic.
Personally, I haven't decided on a goal weight yet. I'd like to hit 140. At 17 I was 119 and very, very, very skinny - too skinny for my curves - at 21 I was 135 and although at the time I felt I was "fat", looking back, I was curvy and perhaps could have lost about 10lbs but I was not fat by any standard. Older than 40 now and two children later, I'd be happy at 140-145...but I won't truly know what I look like or feel like until I get closer.
Have you settled on your goal weight yet and if you are there...how did you decide when to stop losing weight?
She starts by saying she asks her patients two questions:
1. What would you like to weigh?
2. What weight could make you at least minimally satisfied? (what is your satisfaction goal?)
She suggests that the answer to number one is our "ideal" and that the answer to number 2 is our realistic goal and that knowing the difference between these two numbers is a secret to success in maintaining (the next chapter).
She goes on to talk about the lowest achievable weight and the lowest maintainable weight - again usually two different numbers.
She says that at some point, we will stop losing and our bodies will settle at the right weight, at this point, it will not be feasible or realistic to lower calories or exercise more - our bodies will be "done". She says our maintainable weight may not be our lowest possible, but it is where we will be able to stay comfortably without having to do anything extreme or struggle.
If you reach a weight that you feel is not your goal weight but you can't go any lower and it's not feasible, realistic or healthy to exercise more or lower your calories, then you may have to readjust your goals. She suggests taking the focus off weight loss at this point and enriching your life in other ways. All those things you were going to do when you got to goal - do them now.
Although I understand the point of this chapter, I don't think she does a very good job of explaining how to know when you are at your goal weight (ideal or realistic) and although I think she is trying to discourage eating disorders and image dysmorphia - she doesn't really delve into that and once again, I found that she took a very serious issue and made it too simplistic.
Personally, I haven't decided on a goal weight yet. I'd like to hit 140. At 17 I was 119 and very, very, very skinny - too skinny for my curves - at 21 I was 135 and although at the time I felt I was "fat", looking back, I was curvy and perhaps could have lost about 10lbs but I was not fat by any standard. Older than 40 now and two children later, I'd be happy at 140-145...but I won't truly know what I look like or feel like until I get closer.
Have you settled on your goal weight yet and if you are there...how did you decide when to stop losing weight?
Mar 28, 2010
Hanging Out With The Stars
I'm with the stars this week, I missed the moon by many, many miles (and about 300 minutes)!
The good thing about goals is that it's easy to set new ones and start again, so that's what I'm doing.
Redoing last week's goal to move for 7 hours. This week, I will succeed. Last week was a crazy, extremely unusual week at work and I had no back up plan. This week should be normal, but if it isn't, I am better prepared to not let it sideline me.
I learned something - I am not prepared for the unexpected - so this week I will be.
I did get out for a 45 minute walk with my friend Tina today but turned my ankle. It was very sore earlier and swollen, but seems normal now and only twinges a little now and again - hopefully it will be 100% by tomorrow.For some reason my Nike sensor didn't track the walk - which is disappointing! I am hoping that was just some kind of glitch and all will be normal with that tomorrow as well!
Sunday
| Points Eaten | No appetite and snacked off and on, didn't write anything down. |
| Activity Points Earned | 2 |
Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 45 124 min (296 to goal) |
Mar 27, 2010
Nothing to see here folks, keep it moving!
Just trudging along day by day folks, nothing really outstanding to talk about in my little world.
It was a crazy busy work at week due to a crisis and the whole week was fighting fires - normally my work place is pretty steady, even keel but this week everything was upside down and it severely cut into my time for exercise since I normally get a 40 min walk in at lunch. This past week I didn't even eat lunch most days or leave my desk, let alone leave the trailer. Couple that with longer work days and by the time I got home I was exhausted.
Weekend is here and I am playing catch up for all the stuff I didn't do all week because of the above - I'm actually looking forward to Monday so I can go back to a normal routine - how crazy is that?
Going for a walk with my friend Tina and her dog Sadie tomorrow...
Told ya, nothing new here - move right along!
Friday
Saturday
It was a crazy busy work at week due to a crisis and the whole week was fighting fires - normally my work place is pretty steady, even keel but this week everything was upside down and it severely cut into my time for exercise since I normally get a 40 min walk in at lunch. This past week I didn't even eat lunch most days or leave my desk, let alone leave the trailer. Couple that with longer work days and by the time I got home I was exhausted.
Weekend is here and I am playing catch up for all the stuff I didn't do all week because of the above - I'm actually looking forward to Monday so I can go back to a normal routine - how crazy is that?
Going for a walk with my friend Tina and her dog Sadie tomorrow...
Told ya, nothing new here - move right along!
| Points Eaten | 26/26 |
| Activity Points Earned | 0 |
| Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 0 79 min (341 to goal) |
Saturday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 + 5 FP |
| Activity Points Earned | 0 |
| Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 0 79 min (341 to goal) |
Mar 25, 2010
Nuttin’ Honey
I got nuthin’ tonight, folks. Fighting sleep so I’m going to let it win and turn in early. Talk to you all tomorrow!
Thursday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 |
| Activity Points Earned | 3 |
| Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 0 40 min (341 to goal) |
Mar 23, 2010
Out With The Old....
...and in with the new!!! I am in love. These are the most comfortable shoes I have ever had. I love the lime green on them.
My feet were really sore yesterday so I decided not to walk at all and give my feet a day’s rest so when I put on my brand new shoes, they would not be hurting at all. It worked – well half my plan did. My feet and legs are no longer sore but I wasn’t able to get out today to walk at all and right now I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open so I’m going to bed early.
I need to get a move on to meet the 7 hour goal, I’m now 2 hours and 21 min behind!
Wednesday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 + 10 FP |
| Activity Points Earned | 0 |
| Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 0 39 min (381 to goal) |
Mar 22, 2010
Just One Thing
Like I said yesterday, when this weight loss thing is going well - there doesn't seem to be anything to think about - it just all "works". If I could find the magic combination of attitude, determination and planetary alignment and bottle it, I would be rich.
I can't explain what makes it work and what happens to make it all go wrong. I know there are a lot of bloggers right now, in the place I was last week; feeling defeated, weak, tired, fed up, hopeless - and I know it seems bleak sometimes.
When I get like that - I tell myself, I just have to do one thing GOOD FOR ME. Just one. That one thing will prove to me that I love me and that I am worth the effort. Usually that one thing, turns my whole mood around. Sometimes convincing myself to JUST DO ONE THING is a fight in itself, but once I do it - life starts to look better almost immediately. It doesn't have to be a big thing - take the time to pack my meals for the next day; cook myself a healthy meal; go for a short walk; pack my workout stuff so it's ready in the morning; JUST ONE THING.
You can do one thing.
You would do a lot of things for a lot of people in your life.
Do just one thing for you.
Why are you still here? Go do it!
Tuesday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 + 10 FP |
| Activity Points Earned | 0 |
| Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 0 39 (381 to goal) |
Who Has Seen The Wind?
Not only have I seen the wind, I fought it and won!
Mother Nature and Brother Wind did their best today to blow me over. They pummeled with gusts and pushed me sideways, driving the rain and cold into my eyes and face but I didn't let them stop me - I just kept pushing back.
From Spring to Winter in less than 3 days in Toronto. March is determined to go out like a lion. Tonight we are supposed to have freezing rain!
Another good day today, it's amazing how when I feel well I want to do the right things, and it is easy and effortless and when I don't feel well, I just seem to not care and everything is so hard.
Every day feels like a fight sometimes - but not today. Today was an easy day and I'm grateful for that. Everything seemed to fall into place (except the weather) and it was easy to eat right and get out and exercise today.
Another good day today, it's amazing how when I feel well I want to do the right things, and it is easy and effortless and when I don't feel well, I just seem to not care and everything is so hard.
Every day feels like a fight sometimes - but not today. Today was an easy day and I'm grateful for that. Everything seemed to fall into place (except the weather) and it was easy to eat right and get out and exercise today.
Monday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 + 9 FP |
| Activity Points Earned | 3 |
| Moving (goal 420 min) Today Week Total | 39 min - 3.06 km 39 min (381 to goal) |
Mar 21, 2010
A Sunday Point of View
From my blog this past week, you can see I had a pretty crappy week. I was thinking about this yesterday and, mainly, reflecting on what I can do to make this coming week better.
Then I remembered.
This time last year, actually this week last year, my husband Dennis was in the Neuro ICU at a Toronto hospital recovering from brain surgery to clip two brain aneurysms. He was in a drug-induced coma and we were facing the prospect of losing him.
This week, he is about 95% recovered and we are blessed.
Compared to that - this week was a breeze. That week, that event; that was the worst experience I have ever had in my 42 years. This past week was a pothole in the road of life, and not a very big one at that.
Since I spent most of last week feeling like I had no control over many things - I decided to control what I could. I could control what I put into my mouth and I could control how much I exercise, I had set a goal of 20km for this week and to walk 7/7 days.
With some help from two great women in my life, Shelley and Tina, and her lovely dog, Sadie and Den - I hit the 20km mark today - right on time.
And with the help of Tiffany and all my other blogger friends, I was encouraged to keep going when I thought I didn't want to anymore. You guys all rock!!
I didn't do 7/7 days but I amhappy ecstatic with the 6/7 and the 20.79km.
Next week's exercise goal is to move for 7 hours. I'm not setting a distance because I may not walk the entire time, I may choose to do something else - but I will move for 7 hours next week. I'll let you know how I do! This is going to be a busy week for me at work, we are processing month end billing - but I am going to get out at lunch time and walk and I am going to pack my lunch/snacks the night before. If I don't do it the night before, it doesn't get done at all.
These things I can (and will) control.
What is in your control this week to help you to reach your goals?
Then I remembered.
This time last year, actually this week last year, my husband Dennis was in the Neuro ICU at a Toronto hospital recovering from brain surgery to clip two brain aneurysms. He was in a drug-induced coma and we were facing the prospect of losing him.
This week, he is about 95% recovered and we are blessed.
Compared to that - this week was a breeze. That week, that event; that was the worst experience I have ever had in my 42 years. This past week was a pothole in the road of life, and not a very big one at that.
Since I spent most of last week feeling like I had no control over many things - I decided to control what I could. I could control what I put into my mouth and I could control how much I exercise, I had set a goal of 20km for this week and to walk 7/7 days.
With some help from two great women in my life, Shelley and Tina, and her lovely dog, Sadie and Den - I hit the 20km mark today - right on time.
And with the help of Tiffany and all my other blogger friends, I was encouraged to keep going when I thought I didn't want to anymore. You guys all rock!!
I didn't do 7/7 days but I am
Next week's exercise goal is to move for 7 hours. I'm not setting a distance because I may not walk the entire time, I may choose to do something else - but I will move for 7 hours next week. I'll let you know how I do! This is going to be a busy week for me at work, we are processing month end billing - but I am going to get out at lunch time and walk and I am going to pack my lunch/snacks the night before. If I don't do it the night before, it doesn't get done at all.
These things I can (and will) control.
What is in your control this week to help you to reach your goals?
Sunday
| Points Eaten | 25/26 |
| Activity Points Earned | 5.5 |
| Moving | 1 hr 16 min - 5.59 km |
P.S. Crys - I used LiveWriter to design yesterday's post. The photos and text are actually in the cells of a table, then I turned off the table borders. I tried emailing you but the address didn't seem to work and for some reason, I couldn't leave a comment on your blog, it kept refreshing the page when I hit post.
Mar 20, 2010
Picture Perfect Day
| |  Berry Protein Breakfast | |
 |  | |
 Bye bye greys! |
|
Hello Golden Chocolate ! |
| |  Biggest Loser Lunch | |
 | Never too cold for Coldstone at the lake. |
|
 Dinner | ||
|
|
Saturday
| Points Eaten | 26/26 + 6 FP |
| Activity Points Earned | 3.5 |
| Moving | 45 min – 3.39 km |
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